{"id":13545,"date":"2025-07-03T14:35:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T12:35:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=13545"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:21:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:21:12","slug":"banyana-banyanas-wafcon-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/banyana-banyanas-wafcon-campaign\/","title":{"rendered":"With Kgatlana Absent, Senior Stars Carry Banyana Banyana\u2019s WAFCON Hopes in Morocco"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Banyana Banyana, South Africa\u2019s national women\u2019s football team, are ready to fight for glory again as they begin their campaign to defend the Women\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco. However, this time, they\u2019ll be doing it without one of their star players \u2014 Thembi Kgatlana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without Kgatlana leading the charge, the pressure now falls on a group of experienced and dependable players. These seasoned stars will need to use all their skills, experience, and teamwork to give Mzansi something to celebrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-refiloe-jane-the-brain-of-the-midfield\"><strong>1. Refiloe Jane \u2013 The Brain of the Midfield<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Refiloe Jane is more than just a player \u2014 she\u2019s the heartbeat of the team. At 31 years old, she brings calm, leadership, and smart decision-making to the midfield. She missed the last World Cup due to injury, so she\u2019s returning with extra motivation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coach Desiree Ellis has made her one of the three co-captains, a clear sign of her importance. Whether the team is defending, attacking, or just trying to keep the game under control, Jane will be the one guiding them through it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-4183224057\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-kaylin-swart-safe-hands-in-goal\"><strong>2. Kaylin Swart \u2013 Safe Hands in Goal<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In football, having a solid goalkeeper is like having a strong last line of defence. Kaylin Swart has worked hard to earn her spot as Banyana\u2019s number one goalkeeper. Playing for JVW FC, she\u2019s improved in every area \u2014 from catching crosses to making smart passes and stopping difficult shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Andile Dlamini also in the squad, competition is tough, but Swart\u2019s recent performances make her the trusted choice. Her role will be crucial, especially when things get tense during matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-linda-motlhalo-the-creative-spark\"><strong>3. Linda Motlhalo \u2013 The Creative Spark<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Linda Motlhalo, nicknamed the \u201cRandfontein Ronaldinho,\u201d brings creativity and flair to Banyana\u2019s attack. She knows how to find space, deliver clever passes, and even score goals. Two years ago in Morocco, she was one of the stars of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Kgatlana not available, Motlhalo will need to step up even more. Whether it\u2019s a key pass or a goal from a free kick, her magical touches could be the difference between winning and losing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-921923212\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-hildah-magaia-the-main-striker\"><strong>4. Hildah Magaia \u2013 The Main Striker<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Hildah Magaia was the hero in the last WAFCON, scoring the goals that brought the trophy home. Now, she\u2019s the main attacker once again, especially with Kgatlana missing. Playing for Club Tijuana in Mexico, Magaia is known for her sharp runs and accurate shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coach Ellis will be counting on her to find the back of the net. If Magaia hits form early, she could become one of the top goal scorers in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-bongeka-gamede-the-defensive-wall\"><strong>5. Bongeka Gamede \u2013 The Defensive Wall<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every great team needs a reliable defender, and for Banyana, Bongeka Gamede is that player. Whether she\u2019s playing in central defence or as a holding midfielder, she\u2019s strong, focused, and never afraid of a challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In matches against tough teams like Ghana and Mali, her role will be even more important. She might not score goals, but she will help stop the other teams from scoring \u2014 and that\u2019s just as important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/banyana-banyanas-wafcon-2025-quest\/\">Banyana Banyana\u2019s WAFCON 2025 Quest: Captain Refiloe Jane Reflects on the Road Ahead<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coach Desiree Ellis has put her trust in a core group of players who know what it takes to win. Even though some big names are missing, this team still has the heart and talent to go all the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The WAFCON journey won\u2019t be easy, but with the leadership of Jane, the safe hands of Swart, the magic of Motlhalo, the finishing power of Magaia, and the defensive strength of Gamede, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.safa.net\/banyana-banyana\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Banyana Banyana<\/a> are ready to give it their all for South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s support them all the way!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Banyana Banyana\u2019s WAFCON 2024 campaign begins with key players like Jane, Swart, Motlhalo, Magaia, and Gamede stepping up in Kgatlana&#8217;s absence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":13562,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Banyana Banyana\u2019s WAFCON 2024 campaign begins with key players like Jane, Swart, Motlhalo, Magaia, and Gamede stepping up in Kgatlana's absence.","footnotes":""},"categories":[59],"tags":[2593,4685,5615,7138],"class_list":{"0":"post-13545","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-soccer","8":"tag-banyana-banyana","9":"tag-desiree-ellis","10":"tag-refiloe-jane","11":"tag-south-african-womens-football"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13545","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13545"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13545\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13570,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13545\/revisions\/13570"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13562"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}